Electric radiator



Filed Nov. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet f $Q\ J 0000 0.00 0000 000 0W0Qm \000 0 0 00 00@w00 @0.

July 10, 1928.

T. H. M QUlNN ELECTRIC RADIATOR Filed Nov. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M a. 02ml Patented July 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES earner or THOMAS HOBAGE McQuruN; onLoNDou, nu'eLAun, Assrouon or ONE-THIRD To HARRY Monronsnneoon, or TooneLK, vroronm, AUSTRALIA.

ELECTRIC RADIATOR.

Application filed November 29, 1924, Serial No. 752,888, and in Great Britain J'une 17, 1924.

This invention relates toelectric radiators and it bu for its object to provide a radiator which. in addition to providing radiant heat, also effects a circulation of the air in the room or space in which it is situated so as to increase the heating effect by convection currents.

,itccording to the invention. the improved *adiator coniprises one or more tubes of a si-ibstance which is-preferably heat refractory and is a non-conductor of electricity, such, for example, as silica, and which has applied to s external surface a conductor of electricity, such, for instance, as elements of carbon or a helix ofmetallic wire. .When current is passed through the aforesaid conductor or conductors the silica or other tube or tubts or are heated to a high degree so as to radiate heat-by in andesceuce and also at the sari-1e time to cause an upward current of air through the said heated; tube or tubes whereby the air in the room or'space containing the radiator is heated by radiation and hip convection murrents.

In a suitable construction of radiator embodying the invention I make use of a series of heath-1g tubes or elements of the type above decrihed, gllle said elements being mounted vertically in a frame or stand in such a manner that the upper and lower ends thereof open directly into the atmosphere, the upper ends preferably into a space provided at the top of the casing or frame and which is provided with a deflector which [lire the ascending heated air ina forward direct-ion whence it escapes through an orifice or orifices into the atmosphere. A further deflecting, n'cfl-n'ably curved, plate may be furnished externally of the orifices so as to distribute the heated air issuing therefrom.

Furthermore, the frame or stand of the radiator may be furnished behind the series of heating tubes with a curved or concave deflecting surface directed forwardly from below upwards with the result that the rearwardly projected heat rays are reflected and deflected so as to be disseminated in an efficient manner throughout the space to be heated.

To enable the invention to be fully understood I will describe it by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which 1- Figure l is a front elevation of an electric radiator constructed in accordance with my invention and Figures 2 andifi are, respectively, sections on the lines 2 -2, and 3+3, Figure 1,.

Figure flis a front elevation of a modified form of the radiator and Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Fig ure 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section illustrating a modification of the construction illustrated in Fig. 5. I

a indicates the tubes which aremade of a substance which is heat refractory and is a nonconductor of electricity, such for instance, as silica, and L is the conductor of electricity applied to the external surface of each of the said tubes in the form of a helix and designed to be heated by the pa:-

:age of an electric current there hrough. ny this arrangement the helix or the like will radiate heat by incandescence and at the same time cause an upward current of air through the tubes whereby the air in the room or space containing the radiator is heated by radiation and by convection cur rents.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a. series of the tubes (rare emplbyed, whilst in the construction illustrated in Fig ures 4 and 5 one tube (1- onlyis used.

a is the frame or stand in upper and lower horizontal portions of which 0 and 0 respectively, the tube or tubes (6, is or are mounted in an upright position with the upper and lower end of the said tube, or each tube, open to the ati'i'iosph'ere, the upper ends being secured by means of a split tapered bush screwing into the plate 0 with an asbestos or other washer between the said bush and the tube, the lower ends of the tubes fitting incorresponding openings in the part c with asbestos washers fitting between the tubes and the edges of the said openings, (Z being the deflector for directing the ascending heated air in the tubes in a forward direction. The lower part c of the frame 0 is shown as being perforated for passage of air theretl'n'ough. 6, Figures 1 to 3, is the space at the top of the frame or stand 0 into which the upper ends of the series of tubes a directly open, 7 being the orifice-in the said frame or stand through which the ascending heated air escapes into the atmosphere. In the construct-ion illustrated in Figures t and 5, however, the upper end of the tube a therein opens directly intothe atmosphere above the frame 0, the

til)

deflector a being arranged also above the said frame.

g, Figures 1 to 3, is the additional deflecting plate, and shown as being curved, which may be furnished externally of the orifice to further distribute the heated air issuing therefrom.

h, Figures 1 to 3, is the curved or concave deflecting or reflecting surface directed forwardly from below upwards in the frame 0, so that heatrays rearnardly projected from the tubes a will be disseminated in an ellicient manner throughout the space to be heated.

i, 2' Figure l, are switches for controlling the electric current to the conductors 7), the said switches being mounted on a plate 0 forming part of the frame 0, and which plate may be perforated as shown.

In Figures el and 5 I have shown an additional tube a of heat refractory material surrounding the tube a and in contact with the resistance wire I) so as to be heated thereby and radiate such heat.

As in practice, it is found that the column of air ascending through the tubes (6 is not equally heated throughout its cross sectional area, the central portion being cooler than the peripheral portion 1 provide means for disturbing the air in its ascent. As shown in Figure 5 such means may comprise a helical strip indicated by dot and dash lines. 01', instead of the said helical strip 1 may insert in the bottom end of the tube a as indicated in Fig. 6 an inverted cone or provide the said end'with a bellanouth 71: as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. which will increase the velocity and turbulence of the cold air entering the tubes directing it into contact with the inner surface of the said tube. Or, I may insert within the tube a smaller coil of resistance wire which may or may not be wound upon a rod of refractory or non-conducting material such as silica.

In both constructions of radiator illustrated in the drawing a space is formed between the back of the reflector h and the frame 0 which space may be open to the atmosphere for the circulation of air through .the said space by means of perforations as shown at Z, Figure 5.

It is to be understoodthat the tubes (t may be made of metal provided the resistance wire or the like is insulated therefrom.

I claim:

1. An electric radiator comprising a? tube of a refractory nature mounted vertically in a frame with its upper and lower ends open to the atmosphere, a conductor of electricity applied to the external surface thereof, so that when an electric current is passed through the said conductor, the tube is heated to a high degree so as to radiate heat by incandescence and at the same time cause an upward current of air through said tube, whereby the air in the room containing the radiator, is heated by radiation, and by convection currents, a cone inserted in the bottom end of the heating tube to increase the velocity and turbulence of the air in its passage tl'irough said tube, and at least one deflector arranged for directing the heated air issuin from the tube in a forward direction.

An electric radiator comprising a series of tubes of a refractory nature mounted vertically in a frame with their upper and lower ends open to the atmosphere, conductors of electricity applied to the external surfaces thereof, so that when an electric current is passed through the said conductors, the tubes are heated to a high degree so as to radiate heat by incandesence, and at the same time cause an upward current of air through said tubes, whereby the air in the room containing the radiator is heated by radiation and by convection currents, cones inserted in the bottom ends of the heating tubes to increase the velocity and turbulence of the air in its passage through said tubes, and a concave deflector arranged behind the heating tubes, and a deflector adjacent the upper ends of said tubes.

THOMAS HORACE MoQUlNN. 

